Tony Fisher, a British trumpeter whose career joined big-band jazz to decades of London studio work, died September 27. He was 90.
Born in Manchester, Fisher began on cornet in brass bands under the guidance of his father, a bass player. By his teens he was touring British theaters as a trumpet soloist, with Harry James among his early models. He later played in the bands of Ken Mackintosh, Eric Delaney, and Ted Heath, and became a busy lead trumpeter in London’s recording and television studios.
His jazz credits included the Kenny Clarke–Francy Boland Big Band, John Dankworth, Tubby Hayes, Stan Tracey, and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. Fisher recorded with Harry James in 1972 and, in later years, played in Humphrey Lyttelton’s band. His studio work ranged from film soundtracks to sessions with singers including Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Bing Crosby.
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